key doesnt work
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: lexington ky
key doesnt work
I am looking for suggestions, i have a o5 c6 vert.. just returned from vacation naturally my bat is dead,4th time this has happened but my keys wont open the trunk, i have tried 20 to 30 times both keys, they turn fine just nothing happens it is rock solid, the dealer that works on my cars has no idea what to do says they have never had it happen.. any ideas are appreciated, just hate having it towed... Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
there is supposedly a way to reach under the hood from the bottom and possibly connect up a charger, if you, AAA, or your dealer knows how. I sure don't.
on another note tho, if the key turns, it's the right key. have you tried slighlty pushing down on the trunk lid as you turn the key? little bit of an unusual position, but if need be, let someone else turn the key while you do it. the key/lock is mechanical, not electrical to my knowledge, so unless the tongue isn't being pulled at all, it should work.
having been in the "dead zone" not so long ago, I empathize. I was told by BG, buy a battery tender, which I've done. the first I've ever owned, or needed.
tell us what happens, esp. me! I could be there again someday.
on another note tho, if the key turns, it's the right key. have you tried slighlty pushing down on the trunk lid as you turn the key? little bit of an unusual position, but if need be, let someone else turn the key while you do it. the key/lock is mechanical, not electrical to my knowledge, so unless the tongue isn't being pulled at all, it should work.
having been in the "dead zone" not so long ago, I empathize. I was told by BG, buy a battery tender, which I've done. the first I've ever owned, or needed.
tell us what happens, esp. me! I could be there again someday.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 0
From: Bridgewater Corners Vermont VT
Get a jump box or a set of cables connect to the starter lug and a good ground that should give you enough power to use the FOB to gain entry, good luck let us know how you made out.
PHOTOSHOP SPECIALIST
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 16,433
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Here's a thread that discusses the possible problem:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1773002
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1773002
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver B.C
to reprogram your key you want to open your glove box and on the left side there id a little hole. you want to put your key in the hole so the ring sticks out and wait about 20 - 30 seconds and revove it...the car will reprogram your key from there(if the battery isnt dead)
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,482
Likes: 0
From: Bridgewater Corners Vermont VT
to reprogram your key you want to open your glove box and on the left side there id a little hole. you want to put your key in the hole so the ring sticks out and wait about 20 - 30 seconds and revove it...the car will reprogram your key from there(if the battery isnt dead)
I think you may be thinking of the air bag off switch
Last edited by shortski; Apr 6, 2008 at 02:25 PM.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
You mention your battery has died 4 times previously. Other than wondering what the dealership did previously to 'fix' the problem...if you don't want to use a battery tender I think I'd at least disconnect the battery before taking a vacation.
Other than trying to hook-up a charger from underneath or waiting for the dealership to do something...I wonder if a locksmith might help. It may be 'car' related more than 'lock' related but who knows?
I've never had any battery issues with my 2005 (still using the original factory battery) and I've never truly complained about my car or the C6 in general. That said, I think it's sad when the Corvette factory suggests you buy a battery tender to 'fix' the so-called DBS (which is somewhat common with the C6).
Other than trying to hook-up a charger from underneath or waiting for the dealership to do something...I wonder if a locksmith might help. It may be 'car' related more than 'lock' related but who knows?
there is supposedly a way to reach under the hood from the bottom and possibly connect up a charger, if you, AAA, or your dealer knows how. I sure don't.
on another note tho, if the key turns, it's the right key. have you tried slighlty pushing down on the trunk lid as you turn the key? little bit of an unusual position, but if need be, let someone else turn the key while you do it. the key/lock is mechanical, not electrical to my knowledge, so unless the tongue isn't being pulled at all, it should work.
having been in the "dead zone" not so long ago, I empathize. I was told by BG, buy a battery tender, which I've done. the first I've ever owned, or needed.
tell us what happens, esp. me! I could be there again someday.
on another note tho, if the key turns, it's the right key. have you tried slighlty pushing down on the trunk lid as you turn the key? little bit of an unusual position, but if need be, let someone else turn the key while you do it. the key/lock is mechanical, not electrical to my knowledge, so unless the tongue isn't being pulled at all, it should work.
having been in the "dead zone" not so long ago, I empathize. I was told by BG, buy a battery tender, which I've done. the first I've ever owned, or needed.
tell us what happens, esp. me! I could be there again someday.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: lexington ky
I have decided to buy a battery tender, i have one for my chopper and it fires up no matter how long its parked.. Actually 2 of my dead bat episodes were at the dealership( not in reverse ) the last time they failed to put my car in reverse i insisted they buy me a new bat. ... Thanks for all of the comments, seems the best solution is to try and hook up my charger to the starter...check out the other posts it seems the cable that unlocks the trunk can become dislodged making your key inoperable, huge bummer if your not at home.. No doubt Corvette needs to find a fix for all of the 05s with this problem.. A battery tender doesnt work good at the mall..
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 35,764
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From: Northern NYs Adirondack Mountains,http://www.visitsacandaga.com.
I have decided to buy a battery tender, i have one for my chopper and it fires up no matter how long its parked.. Actually 2 of my dead bat episodes were at the dealership( not in reverse ) the last time they failed to put my car in reverse i insisted they buy me a new bat. ... Thanks for all of the comments, seems the best solution is to try and hook up my charger to the starter...check out the other posts it seems the cable that unlocks the trunk can become dislodged making your key inoperable, huge bummer if your not at home.. No doubt Corvette needs to find a fix for all of the 05s with this problem.. A battery tender doesnt work good at the mall..
I had a 05 manual with DBS (5 times) got the reflash and it was fine after that. You still got to shut it down in REVERSE, but the battery does not die.
The procedure # is PIC4188B. Its in the dealerships computer, takes about 15 minuits to do
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
The trunk may just be stuck and not being pushed up by the spring when you unlatch it with the key. Try having someone else push up and down on it while you keep the key turned, even maybe something soft under the lip to pull it up...
Good luck!
Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 8,824
Likes: 3
From: The left Coast
St. Jude Donor '08
The doors won't open if I don't put mine in reverse and the DIC says place in reverse. It's good reminder. That is probably why mine has never died.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton Inlet, Atlantic Ocean (Floridas east coast)
I would do the exact same thing........keep us postedI checked both my keys and the trunk pops open with each key.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
I am looking for suggestions, i have a o5 c6 vert.. just returned from vacation naturally my bat is dead,4th time this has happened but my keys wont open the trunk, i have tried 20 to 30 times both keys, they turn fine just nothing happens it is rock solid, the dealer that works on my cars has no idea what to do says they have never had it happen.. any ideas are appreciated, just hate having it towed... Thanks
But first you have to recharge the battery. This can be simply done by connecting your battery charger to the starter hot lead and to a frame ground. These points can be reached from under the car. Then open the car door with the fob as normal.
Alternatively, you can open up the driver side rear inner fender liner and tug on the emergency driver door release cable. Then you can open the hood normally with the hood release and connect your battery charger in the normal fashion to recharge the battery.
In either case, once you have the car opened and the battery recharged, open the hatch in the normal way, pull loose the rear trim, and reattach the manual lock release cable to the latch mechanism. Once you have things open so you can see the works, it is obvious what needs to be done.